BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has urged everyone to remain cautious so that unnecessary debates do not lead us away from safeguarding the nation’s interests.
He made this call while virtually joining as the chief guest at the Khulna Metropolitan BNP Conference on Monday (February 24) in the afternoon. The conference was held at Khulna Circuit House Ground.
Tarique Rahman stated that discussions and debates on various issues are part of politics. However, we must be mindful that such debates should not create a situation that benefits authoritarian forces or those who do not wish well for Bangladesh. We must remain vigilant. We should also be cautious so that unnecessary debates do not distance us from protecting the people and the country's interests. There is much work ahead of us.
He further emphasized that as a political party, especially as a force advocating for democracy, all members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) must persistently strive to restore democracy in Bangladesh. At any cost, the voting rights of the Bangladeshi people must be ensured. If we can establish their right to vote, we will be able to pull Bangladesh back from the brink of collapse.
The BNP Acting Chairman added that today, within the party, democratic practices are being upheld. Efforts are being made to shape the party democratically. Thousands of our leaders and activists have been killed, disappeared, or subjected to persecution for establishing the democratic, political, and economic rights of the people of Bangladesh. Millions have faced fabricated cases and have had to attend court hearings under false charges. But why are we still required to appear in court daily? The sole reason is our fight for the democratic rights of the people.
Some may ask, what difference will it make if we establish democratic rights in the country? The answer is simple: if democracy is practiced within the party, its foundation will be strengthened. As leadership gradually returns to the right individuals, the party will progress smoothly. Similarly, if we foster democratic practices in the country and uphold the right to vote, elected representatives will truly represent the people's voices and address national issues.
He continued, stating that we have witnessed how democracy in Bangladesh has been destroyed in the past and how people have suffered oppression and persecution. Many of our colleagues have been lost. Especially in July and August, we saw how innocent people were subjected to brutal repression. We saw how 1,400 people were martyred to bring forth the freedom we experience today. However, we cannot afford to stop; we must continue moving forward.
